Etihad Airways has officially announced the addition of 10 exciting new destinations to its flight network from Abu Dhabi. This expansion not only provides more options for residents of the UAE capital but also enhances travel opportunities for those in Dubai looking to explore new horizons, with destinations including Thailand and Vietnam. With this announcement, the airline aims to attract more tourists to Abu Dhabi and further integrate these regions into the extensive Etihad Airways global network.
The airline’s reveal comes after a successful social media campaign where they teased these new locations, prompting followers to guess the upcoming destinations. The engagement was remarkable, with the teaser video garnering over 40 million views since its release last Friday.
Etihad Airways’ New Destinations
Without further ado, here are the ten new locations that the UAE’s national carrier will commence flights to, starting in July 2025:
- Atlanta, USA: 4 times weekly, beginning July 2, 2025
- Taipei, Taiwan: Daily flights, starting September 7, 2025
- Medan, Indonesia: 3 times weekly, from October 2, 2025
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia: 5 times weekly, commencing October 3, 2025
- Krabi, Thailand: Daily flights, starting October 9, 2025
- Tunis, Tunisia: 3 times weekly, from November 1, 2025
- Chiang Mai, Thailand: 4 times weekly, starting November 3, 2025
- Hong Kong, China: 5 times weekly, beginning November 3, 2025
- Hanoi, Vietnam: 6 times weekly, from November 3, 2025
- Algiers, Algeria: 4 times weekly, commencing November 7, 2025
Adding to the excitement, some of these routes will be exclusive to the UAE, including direct flights to Atlanta, Medan, Phnom Penh, and Chiang Mai, which currently have no direct services from the UAE, giving Etihad a significant competitive advantage in the regional market.
This expansion signifies a major milestone for Etihad Airways, which has grown its network from 64 destinations in 2022 to over 90 by 2025. The number of countries served has also increased from 43 to over 50 within just three years, and the airline is forecasting a doubling of passenger numbers from 10 million in 2022 to 20 million by 2025.
Antonoaldo Neves, the CEO of Etihad, expressed his enthusiasm about the announcement, stating, “Launching ten new destinations in a single day underscores our unwavering commitment to enhancing our airline’s route network and delivering world-class, customer-centric service. This incredible achievement would not have been possible without the remarkable efforts of our dedicated team and the continued support of our valued guests.”
The new routes will complement previously announced destinations for 2025, which include Prague, Warsaw, and Al Alamein. Etihad’s strategic expansion is poised to bring tens of thousands of new visitors directly to Abu Dhabi, reinforcing its status as a premier destination for leisure, business, and cultural tourism. This move aligns perfectly with the capital’s initiatives aimed at attracting international travelers and solidifying its reputation as a hub of connectivity, innovation, and hospitality.
Neves further elaborated, “Our expansion reflects our commitment to listening to our valued guests. We have thoughtfully selected cities that represent the experiences, adventures, and opportunities that resonate with our travelers. Whether they are seeking breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural experiences, reconnecting with family and friends, pursuing business ventures, or embarking on educational journeys, our new routes will help turn their travel aspirations into reality.”
He added, “This moment is not just about expanding our network; it’s about showcasing Abu Dhabi to the world. With its endless sunshine, diverse culinary offerings, vibrant culture, thrilling family theme parks, and pristine beaches, Abu Dhabi truly has something for everyone. Our expanded network will facilitate easier access for guests to experience all that our home city has to offer.”
The launch of these ten destinations will be supported by the impressive Zayed International Airport, which boasts the capacity and modern amenities to accommodate Etihad’s rapid growth, thereby enhancing the guest experience.
As 2025 approaches, it marks a transformative year for Etihad, with plans to serve over 90 destinations in more than 50 countries and operate a fleet of over 110 aircraft, including the state-of-the-art A321LRs, while welcoming over 20 million guests onboard. Most importantly, this expansion will enable the airline to bring over a million visitors to Abu Dhabi to enjoy the rich offerings of the emirate.
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